Saturday, November 23, 2024
11/23/2024
PROJECT ABSTRACT Protein-protein interactions are governed by recognition events between peptide secondary structures (a- helices, b-sheets, loops), which in turn provide design cues for the development of selective chemical probes. However, removal of ordered peptide domains from the context of the surrounding tertiary structure compromises folding and conformational stability. Mimicry and disruption of b-strand/sheet interactions remains a considerable challenge. This is largely due to the inherent flexibility of short peptide sequences, the propensity for b-strands to aggregate, and the large surface areas and diverse modes of b-sheet packing. The early oligomerization of several amyloidogenic proteins involves conformational reorganization into parallel b-sheet structures, followed supramolecular assembly into toxic fibrils. Recent atomic-level structural data using patient-derived extracts has revealed that neurotoxic amyloids may be characterized by unique structural polymorphs, or ‘strains’, depending on the disease. Despite the need for amyloid- and strain-specific ligands, b-rich amyloid assemblies represent particularly challenging targets. We recently established peptide backbone N-amination as a subtle yet remarkably effective approach to b-strand/sheet stabilization. The conformational and non-aggregating characteristics of N-amino peptides (NAPs) render them uniquely suited for capping the growth of sheet fibrils while maintaining the facial packing and sidechain interdigitation important for amyloid recognition. Here, we will further develop soluble mimics of diverse b-sheet-like folds to disrupt amyloid aggregation in a sequence and strain-specific manner. As a proof-of-concept, we will target the assembly and cellular transmission of tau fibrils that characterize numerous sporadic and hereditary neurodegenerative disorders. Our overarching hypothesis is that the structural features of peptide N-amination will enable the development of ligands that selectively target b-rich amyloid folds. In Aim 1 we will expand the utility of NAP modification in pursuit of hyperstable b-strands and amyloid mimics based on parallel b-sheet macrocycles. A library of NAP-based tau mimics will be synthesized in Aim 2. These compounds will be evaluated for their ability to block aggregation and cellular transmission of recombinant tau fibrils as well those extracted from AD patients. In Aim 3, we will synthesize a series of aggregation-resistant NAP macrocycles that mimic the cross-b packing observed in pathogenic tau strains. These will be evaluated for their capacity to specifically inhibit cellular seeding by tau fibrils derived from AD and CBD brains. We anticipate that ligands emerging from this study will enable a robust examination of the the pathogenic strain model of tau transmission. More broadly, these studies will have a significant impact on the design of other selective disruptors of b-sheet and amyloid assemblies that are inherently difficult to target.
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